Envelop.



M. J. SHAFFER.

ENVELOP.

APPLIOAHON FILED 001227. 1908.

Patented June 22, 1909. A

liwenior: jlfoflonJlS unrrnn strains PATENT OFFTQE.

MORTON J. SHAFFER, OF BROOKLINE, MASS;\OIIUSE'1".LS, ASSIGNOR TO SHAFFER EXPAND- ING REVERSIBLE ENVELOPE & BOX COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

I ENVELOP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORTON J. Srmnrnn, a citizen of the United. States of America, and a resident of Brookline, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to envelops and other like receptacles and especially to envelops to be used for the preservation of documents and its particular object is to provide such an envelop which is expansible and adapted to receive any number of papers Without the necessity of readjustment.

The invention consists of an envelop which is provided with two overlapping end flaps which are connected together by means of a slidable fastening device which permits these flaps to move longitudinally one on. the other and thus expand the envelop for the reception of more papers or contract the envelop to adapt it for a lesser number of papers.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be readily understood by reference to the description of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents an elevation of an envelop embodying the features of this invention in closed condition. Fig. 2 represents an elevation of the same with the side flaps extended. Fig. 3 represents a similar elevation with the end flaps also disconnected and extended, and Fig. 4 represents a transverse section on line 44 on Fig. 1.

In the drawings, 10 represents the front or body portion of an envelop provided on either side with a flap 11 or 12. These flaps 11 or 12 are adapted to be bent inwardly on the creased line 13 to overlap each other. The front 10 is provided at one end with an end flap 14 and at its opposite end with an end flap 15. The flap 14 is adapted to be bent inwardly on the creased line 16 while the flap 15 is adapted to be bent inwardly on the creased line 17 to overlap the flap 14. The flap 15 is provided with a pair of parallel slits 18 extending longitudinally of said flap but terminating short of the end thereof so as to present limiting shoulders 19 at either'end of said slits.

The end flap 14 has cut therethrough near Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 27, 1906.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Serial No. 340,811.

its outer end a pair of oppositely extending curved and generally \l-shaped slits 20 to form projecting ears 21 which are adapted to be bent slightly outward from the face of the flap .14 and to enter the slots 18 to lock the flaps 14 and 15 together. Since the ears are formed by slits which terminate short of the uncut edges of the flap and are, therefore, apart from and intermediate the edges, the two flaps are maintained in firm sliding engagement with each other at either side of the ears. The cooperating parallel edges which are presented to the ears by the slits 18 formed in the other flap provide for a free sliding movement in all positions, while the formation of the ears in the body of the flap keeps the two flaps in a firm guiding contact, with the flaps held against any substantially transverse movement each relative to the other, all without impairing the free expansibility of the retaining wall formed by the two flaps. Preferably the ends of the U-shaped slits are continued reversely or at an inclination, thereby protecting the base of each ear from tearing and permitting the sliding engagement of the flaps without undue wear at that point. It is obvious that when thus locked together the ears 21 will fasten the two [laps together and at the same time are adapted to slide longitudinally of the slots 18 the two flaps thereby providing an expansible retaining wall to permit of an expansion of the envelop for the reception of a greater number of papers. The shoulders 19 at either end of the slots 18 cooperating with the ears or projections 21 limit the movement of said projecting mem bers 21 in either direction.

By this construction a very effective envelop is secured without the aid of other instrumentalities, the entire envelop and its fastening devices being constructed of a single blank. This insures the construction of an envelop at a minimum expense. Another advantage of the construction shown is that the projecting members 21 are always in engagement with the slots 18 to lock the flaps together and prevent disengagement while at the same time when it is desired to insert any extra papers they may be readily moved longitudinally on the other to expand the envelop for the reception of said papers. This obviates any uni'astening and refastening of the flaps as is usually the case in envelops now in use.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the operation of the invention will be thoroughly understood.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An envelop comprising a body part, one or more flaps secured thereto, and an expansible retaining wall extending across said body part and cooperating with said flaps to retain the envelop contents, said wall being composed of oppositely arranged flaps attached each at one end to opposite sides of the body portion, and inelastic connecting means carried by said laps by which. the opposite ends thereof are maintained in constant, interlocking and sliding engagement each with the other said means permitting longitudinal sliding movement, but preventing all substantially transverse movement of the flaps relative to each other.

2. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall extending across said body portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, one flap being provided with parallel slits terminating short of the end of thefiap and the other with a pair of oppositely extending ears engaging with the slits and formed'in the body of the flap, each ear being formed by a U-shaped slit terminating short of the edge of the flap, and the base of said ears being protected by a reverse continuation of the slit.

3. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall extending across said body portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, one flap being provided with parallel slits terminating short of the end of the flap and the other with a pair of oppositely extending ears engaging with the slits and formed in the body of the flap and intermediate and apart from the uncut edges thereof.

4. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall extending across said body portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, engaging members projecting from one flap and parallel longitudinal slits in the other flap intermediate its end and its connection with said body portion, said slits being oi greater width than the Width of said engaging members with which they are adapted to cooperate to interlock said flaps together.

5. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall eX- tending across said body portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, one of said flaps being provided with a slit extending longitudinally thereof, and a member in the other flap adapted to engage said slit and hold said flaps face to face and against transverse movement while permitting a movement longitudinally of one along the other.

6. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall eX tending across the bony portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, one flap being provided with a pair of ears formed each by a slit in the face of the flap and terminating short of the edge thereof, and the other flap being arovided with cooperating parallel slits having sliding interlocking engagement with the said ears.

7. A retaining device having a body portion and an expansible retaining wall eX tending across the l)O( y portion and formed by two flaps united to opposite edges of the body portion, one flap being provided with a pair of cars formed each by a U-shaped slit in the face of the flap and terminating short of the edge thereof, and the other flap being provided with cooperating parallel slits having sliding interlocking engagement With the said ears.

Signed by me at Boston, Mass, this 20th day of October, 1906.

MORTON J. SHAFFER. lVitnesses EVALTER E. LOMBARD, Enw. C. CLEVELAND. 

